Late bronchopleural fistula and Hemophilus influenzae empyema complicating longstanding oleothorax: report of two cases.

Bronchopleural fistula and Hemophilus influenzae empyema developed in two patients with longstanding oleothorax. The first patient died after drainage with a pleurocutaneous flap, and a seven-rib thoracoplasty failed to resolve her infection. In the second, resection of the oleothorax cavity and left upper lobe resulted in cure.